Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08NAIROBI1880
2008-08-01 05:44:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Nairobi
Cable title:
Somalia - New Rumors of Ethopian Withdrawal
VZCZCXRO1047 RR RUEHDE RUEHROV RUEHTRO DE RUEHNR #1880 2140544 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 010544Z AUG 08 ZDS ZDK FM AMEMBASSY NAIROBI TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 6674 INFO RUCNSOM/SOMALIA COLLECTIVE RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 7328 RHMFISS/CJTF HOA RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC RHMFISS/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL
C O N F I D E N T I A L NAIROBI 001880
C O R R E C T E D COPY (SUBJECT)
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/E AND A/S FRAZER
E.O. 12958: DECL 7/30/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL EAID PINS SO
SUBJECT: Somalia - New Rumors of Ethopian Withdrawal
Classified by Special Envoy John Yates, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L NAIROBI 001880
C O R R E C T E D COPY (SUBJECT)
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/E AND A/S FRAZER
E.O. 12958: DECL 7/30/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL EAID PINS SO
SUBJECT: Somalia - New Rumors of Ethopian Withdrawal
Classified by Special Envoy John Yates, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) On July 31, President Abdullahi Yusuf told Special Envoy for
Somalia John Yates he suspected Ethiopia was preparing to withdraw
its troops soon. According to Yusuf, Ethiopian troops, possibly as
many as forty truckloads, left their bases at the former pasta
factory and football stadium in Mogadishu.
2. (C) Ethiopian-trained Somali security forces, supported by cash
contributions from Mogadishu's business community, replaced the
Ethiopian troops, according to Abdisalam. Yusuf told SE Yates that,
if the Ethiopians pull back before sufficient numbers of peacekeepers
arrive, the Transitional Federal Government "won't survive."
3. (C) Comment: Ethiopia has moved their troops around piecemeal in
the past, but if true, this is a significant column of troops on the
move. It's unclear how far outside Mogadishu they have moved or how
prepared TFG troops are to take their place. It's equally uncertain
how armed groups and the public will react. End Comment.
SLUTZ
C O R R E C T E D COPY (SUBJECT)
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/E AND A/S FRAZER
E.O. 12958: DECL 7/30/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL EAID PINS SO
SUBJECT: Somalia - New Rumors of Ethopian Withdrawal
Classified by Special Envoy John Yates, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) On July 31, President Abdullahi Yusuf told Special Envoy for
Somalia John Yates he suspected Ethiopia was preparing to withdraw
its troops soon. According to Yusuf, Ethiopian troops, possibly as
many as forty truckloads, left their bases at the former pasta
factory and football stadium in Mogadishu.
2. (C) Ethiopian-trained Somali security forces, supported by cash
contributions from Mogadishu's business community, replaced the
Ethiopian troops, according to Abdisalam. Yusuf told SE Yates that,
if the Ethiopians pull back before sufficient numbers of peacekeepers
arrive, the Transitional Federal Government "won't survive."
3. (C) Comment: Ethiopia has moved their troops around piecemeal in
the past, but if true, this is a significant column of troops on the
move. It's unclear how far outside Mogadishu they have moved or how
prepared TFG troops are to take their place. It's equally uncertain
how armed groups and the public will react. End Comment.
SLUTZ